Results from a sample of 508 Facebook users found that frequent photos shared by a partner could "violate what is expected to be shared between partners and so is related to a decrease in scores of intimacy".

Similarly, sharing photos of close friends also has a negative impact on the quality of the relationship.

Researchers recommend "individuals should adjust their privacy settings" to ensure disclosure of content doesn't harm potential and current relationships.

It seems that focusing on our friends and relationships in real life is the way forward.

In 2010, American comedian Jimmy Kimmel declared November 17 National Unfriend Day. He encouraged people to delete those contacts they hardly knew.

"Half of the people in this country are on Facebook and many of those people have hundreds, if not thousands of friends," he said.

"I find this unacceptable; that no one has thousands of friends . . . If you have 10 friends in your life then you're doing very well."